Universal Preps Safe House Sequel

Making more than $202 million worldwide, the Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds-fronted thriller Safe House was one of the surprise hits of early 2012, not to mention one of Universal's biggest domestic successes to date. And now the studio's looking to double down, laying groundwork for a so-called Safe House 2, though the possibility exists this sequel may turn prequel.

THR reports Universal has already secured Safe House scribe David Guggenheim to return, but there's no word yet on whether Washington or Ryan may be asked to reprise their roles. Of course, those who saw the first film know (obviously spoilers ahead) that for Washington to be involved, the film would essentially need to be a prequel as his former CIA agent Tobin Frost bit it in Safe House. While prequels initially earn groans when announced to moviegoers, it might be wise to take this route as Ryan Reynolds has repeatedly struggled to shoulder a movie on his own (sorry Green Lantern). But as THR insists Universal is eager to have Washington return, an alternative could be some movie magic that resurrects his slain character. Which of these would be more preferable/less loathsome?

Sadly, it seems unlikely director Daniel Espinosa will return, as he appears moving on to bigger (and better?) things like replacing Ridley Scott on the crime thriller Child 44. But if Universal sticks to their playbook in picking up-and-coming foreign talent to helm their mid-level action-thrillers, we could get word of an exciting new addition to this project. Maybe they could snag The Raid's Gareth Evans or Sleepless Nights' Frédéric Jardin? Share your picks for the director's seat in comments.